Buyer Beware !!!

rebeltf

rebeltf

Joined
Jan 29, 2005
Messages
6,768
Well today I got a big fat disappointment.
I finally decided to take the plunge and buy my first Spyderco , on ebay. I used to really love ebay but with so many hacks and cracks selling junk on there nowadays , it is hard to find truly cool items , for me anyway.
So I see a Spyderco Byrd at a low price with not much time left and I go for it , win the auction and am pleased.
I got it in the mail today , happily ripping the box open to findle my new prize.
I look it over , it's nice and wieghty , looks brand new , I open the blade , sharp crisp click on the lock , plain edge just like I wanted , woot !!!! I kick my heels in joy.
Then I examine the blade , one side said "BYRD 440C" ok , right on !! I turn it over and it says "China" and im like WTH ?? This cant be.... !@!@
Sure as you know what , it was made in the good 'ol peoples republic.
My first reaction was to throw it across the room :mad: Then I went to check the auction , it was listed as a REAL Spyderco... grr..

Well after cooling off I looked it over again and again and found that for a Chi-Com knife it was very, very solid. No blade wobble whatsoever , very crisp action , razor sharp blade that shaved my arm like it should... sigh...
Anyways just wanted to share my story and tell other folks to watch what they buy on ebay , it just might be a counterfiet... :(
 
You got the real deal. the Byrd knives are mede for spyderco in China of 440C steel.
 
It isn't a counterfeit. The Byrd line is imported from China by Spyderco, made to their specs. Check the Spyderco Forum and I'm sure you'll find more information.
 
Honsetly while the seller might have made it more cleat that the knife was made in China, it is also the responsibility of the buyer to know what they are buing. The Byrd line is just a line of knives made in China and imported by Spyderco, and made to their specs and standards.

All I can really say is that f you feel you got burned, sorry bout that. Next time just be more careful to fully understand what you are buying.
 
Spyderco has knives made all over the world now, even in the USA (gasp!). But I'd have been disappointed too to receive a Chinese knife if not expecting it.

Best Wishes,
Bob
 
Ahhh!!! I searched a little on Spyderco's website but couldnt find anything , gaah oh well lol.... What is even funnier is after I posted this I gave it to a co-worker !!!! :p
Once again I was quite impressed with it being so.... well made.

Thanks for the info folks , I appreciate it and dont feel burned. :)
 
so ya gave yours away to. i kept my first one for a day or so and then it found a new home.
 
The Byrd line is an "economy" version of Spyderco knives. Different brand, made in China to keep labor cost down, but designed by Spyderco and manufactured under their supervision in China with good Japanese steel (440C), they have 90% of the refinement of the Spyderco, with 100% know-how and design, AND good steel, and a reliable locking system.

It's not a real "Spyderco" because it does not have the patented hole in the blade, and not marked as a Spyderco, but you surely regret that you gave it away because this is the best value "low budget" you can find on the knifemarket at this moment!

I collect Spyderco's but ordered a Byrd knife to use as an allround "beater", because if it breaks it's not a "real" Spyderco, but i still have a strong, good made knife with a strong lock and good steel!

Of course most Ebay sellers say Spyderco Byrd knife, because they know the Spyderco name will add interest in the knife, but it is technically not a real "Spyderco".

I would have kept it for shure! :(
 
one thing that you want to keep in mind though is that for the warranty to be valid, some companies require proof of purchase from a licensed retailer (which would NOT be ebay)
 
I've purchased my last Spyderco.

I will not support an American Company that does the Chinese business thing.

For you folks that will attack this, go ahead.

It's not a thing about how nice or good the Chinese people are.

It is about American businesses that betray the American consumer and workers.

This also applies to other companies that would do the same as Spyderco.


Thomas Zinn
 
Zinn, isn't that a bit melodramatic. You're sounding a bit like Joseph McCarthy.



In 2004 (as a 2005 model), Chevy will add the Equinox, a crossover sports utility. Equinox is derived from the small Saturn VUE platform, yet it looks nothing like the VUE and is bigger than its competitors. The Equinox will carry a Chinese-built six-cylinder GM engine and be assembled by one of GM's Japanese affiliates, Suzuki, in a joint-venture plant in Canada.
 
I totally understand the esire to not buy chinese products. I do feel, however, that this is a reality we are likely to see more of. It is hard for american companies to compete with companies that have products made in china. Look at what happened to Schrade. I think we will see more American companies producing at least some product in china.
 
There are very few companies that do not do what Spyderco does, if you don't want your Spyderco knives, I'll take em :D. Personally, I do not like the Byrd knives, they look like the cheap Jaguar knives knockoffs of Spyderco knives I see at farmers markets and truckstops. I'll stick with the Spyderco brand.
 
Besides being made in China, another thing I don't like is the 440C steel. I know 440C isn't exactly junk steel, but it's pretty close IMHO. I wouldn't mind having a Byrd knife, it would make a good beater along with my Red line BMs, like the Mini-Pika, which is also 440C.
 
I would have kept it for shure
Click to expand...

Well I've been buggin the guy for months to buy his own knife , finally talked him into buying a MT so he'll stop asking to use mine :D
Besides I have two more coming in the mail in the next few days a seraated Byrd and a Meerkat. Dont ya just love tax returns !?!!? :)

I can totally understand where Zinn is coming from , I feel the same but I work in the computer industry, every sinlge peice of equipment we buy use and sell is made in China and to be fair we rarely have problems with it.
Ironically yesterday while driving back to the shop from a small town I saw a knife on the road ! Excitedly I pulled over and ran back to grab it , lol it is a total POS that would see at a swap meet , chrome this and that , wobbly blade , fake ivory grips with Bald Eagle 'scrimshaw' that were put onto a handle with Chinese Dragon bolsters !!?? WTH... lol , talk about confused-ed.
not wanting to litter I chucked it into my Del Taco bag for disposal at the shop. :p :cool:
 
Thanks rebelt, for understanding my POV. I understand yours, and commend you for not adding to the fire.


Regards,


Thomas Zinn
 
nelsonmc said:
Besides being made in China, another thing I don't like is the 440C steel. I know 440C isn't exactly junk steel, but it's pretty close IMHO.
Click to expand...
440C is pretty close to "junk steel"???...Are you CRAZY???.:eek:.:eek:.
 
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